News

PPEL levy helps school district facilities

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:46am

     Tuesday, Feb. 7 is the day those residing within the Monticello Community School District are asked to go out and vote to support the renewal of the PPEL (Physical Plant & Equipment Levy) tax levy. This levy is used by the MCSD to maintain and repair the district’s facilities.

     Specific uses of the tax levy include: Building repairs, land improvements, vehicles, school buses, furniture/fixtures, heating/cooling/plumbing, technology, resurfacing the track, infrastructure upgrades, instruments, parking lot repairs, and so much more.

Pictured Rocks incident sends one to UIHC

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:41am

     A slack lining accident took place on Saturday, Jan. 21, at around 12:15 p.m. at Picture Rocks Park outside of Monticello.

     According to Jon Klein, Jones County Ranger, a young adult male subject from Iowa was crossing a slack line 40-50 feet in length above the ground when he fell about 60-plus feet to the ground.

     “Most typically remain closer to the ground,” Klein said of the height.

Drugs addiction, mental health hit on at forum

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:41am

     Addiction. Prison reform. Prescription regulations. The opioid issue. Those were just several of the topics that were openly discussed during the “2017 Iowa Caring Communities Tour.” The event took place on Jan. 19 in Anamosa.

     The Jones County Safe & Healthy Youth Coalition partnered with the Office of Drug Control Policy, Partnership for a Drug Free Iowa, the Iowa National Guard Counter-Drug Program and the U.S. Department of Justice to bring the very first Tour to Jones County.

     There will be several other listening posts scheduled throughout the state.

Hein, Zumbach address mental health, education funding

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:35am

     Rep. Lee Hein and Sen. Dan Zumbach were present at the Jan. 21 Jones County Farm Bureau legislative forum in Anamosa.

     Roughly 25 people were present to hear from the legislators, as well as to ask pressing questions.

     In terms of legislative priorities this session, Zumbach said nothing could happen until the budget is set in place.

     “There are bills lined up,” he said. “Everything else takes a backseat until the budget is set.”

New bus to depend on PPEL vote

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:33am

     If the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) fails to pass during the special election on Feb. 7, the impact to the Monticello Community School District will be felt very quickly in its bus fleet.

     The Monticello School Board, at its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 23, voted to approve the bid of School Bus Sales Co. for the purchase of a 2018 Blue Bird All American, 84-passenger transit bus, at a cost of $93,636.

     The district tries to replace a bus every year, so as to keep the fleet current and repair costs down.

Conservation seeks additional funding for lake project

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:30am

     County Conservation Director Brad Mormann met with the Board of Supervisors during their Jan. 17 meeting to provide an update on the funding for the Central Park lake dredging and access project.

     To date, Mormann said he has secured over $2.2 million in funding, donations and grants toward the total dredging and access improvements. A huge chunk of that stems from the DNR Lake Restoration program, $1.6 million. The engineering portion, or $250,000, will come from that figure.

JRMC announces leadership changes

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:23am

     UnityPoint Health–Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC) has announced several promotions within its administrative team.

     John Wagner has been named as Director of Operations. Wagner was previously Director of Performance Improvement and Director of Employer Initiatives. In addition to previous assignments, Wagner will now also be responsible for Occupational Medicine, Therapy, Laboratory and Infection Prevention departments. 

McDonald recognized as HR Professional of the Year

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 10:21am

     Deann McDonald, executive vice president Human Relations for F&M Bank, was recently named TrueNorth’s QRP 2016 Human Resources Professional of the Year. The award serves to formally recognize HR professionals and thank them for their valued partnership with TrueNorth Companies.

Whiskey River license denied, city hires new Parks & Rec dir.

Published by admin on Wed, 01/18/2017 - 8:31am

     With Milena Galliano, owner of Whiskey River Pub & Grub in Monticello, present during the Jan. 16 City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to deny renewal of Galliano’s liquor license. The license does expire on Jan. 31, 2017.

     City Administrator Doug Herman outlined a handful of pending criminal cases against Galliano and former owner Ryan Husmann, including the most recent in December. The pending charges stem from Jones and Dubuque counties. Herman also mentioned that one of the pending charges could result in a felony conviction.

Facilities, district communication are discussed

Published by admin on Wed, 01/18/2017 - 8:29am

     Two facets of the Monticello Community School District’s Strategic Operating Plan, facilities and communication, were discussed as the Monticello School Board held its monthly work session Wednesday, Jan. 11 in the administrative board room.

     The facilities part of the plan has to do with both current projects that need to be taken care of within the district, and long-term building options.

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